Hydrogen Peroxide
Dec 14, 2009 
13 Comments
Hydrogen peroxide has overtaken vinegar as my go-to cleaning agent around my home. Don’t get me wrong, I still love and use my spray bottle of vinegar frequently, but peroxide makes me feel like my house is so very germ-free! It’s such a wonderful cleanser, bleaching agent and antiseptic that I find myself reaching for it all kinds of reasons.
Everyone knows that peroxide is a naturally occurring substance, but do you know where it actually comes from? I wasn’t sure, so I consulted Wikipedi and this is what I found:
“Hydrogen peroxide is naturally produced in organisms as a byproduct of oxygen metabolism. Nearly all living things possess enzymes known as peroxidases, which harmlessly and catalytically decompose low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen.”
Very interesting.
The peroxide I keep around is simply the 3% that you’ll find in those 99 cent brown bottles in your pharmacy. Cheap, readily available, natural and antiseptic….are you sold yet?
So, now that we have that in our brains, let’s talk about some of my favorite uses for this liquid gold…
- Keep a 50/50 mix of peroxide and water in a spray bottle in your bathroom and spray down your shower walls, knobs and faucets to keep them sparkling and germ-free.
- Make a paste of peroxide and baking soda as a whitening scrub for porcelain bathtubs. Your tub has never been so white and germ-free!
- Keep another 50/50 mix in your kitchen for wiping down counters, tables and sinks.
- After rinsing your wooden cutting boards, pour straight peroxide onto them to kill bacteria left behind from your food.
- Use it to rinse produce to remove harsh chemicals and residual dirt.
- Rinse your mouth with a capful of straight peroxide by swishing for several minutes 2-3 times a week. . This will not only whiten teeth, but fight nasty bad-breath causing germs.
- Peroxide breaks down proteins, so it’s wonderful for getting blood stains out of clothes. Just be careful because it is also capable of removing color from fabric.
- Clean your laminate or linoleum floors with a 50/50 peroxide/water mixture for floors so clean you could eat off of them!
Please….wear gloves when using hydrogen peroxide!
Are you a peroxide user? Share how you use it in your home!
abbiesanderson
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Its also great for removing pet odors. Carefully use it full strength on carpets that have been soiled….carefully meaning test a small spot for color fastness first.
Works great!
We use it to clean all kinds of things!
I use it with a hot water wash to whiten my towels.
I rinse my mouth with it after flossing to kill any beasties I might have left behind.
I clean my nail care and pedicure implements with it. Especially my pumice. Think of what a breeding ground all that exfoliated skin must be for bacteria! I just soak them all for –well, I don’t know how long. Until I remember to go back and get them.
We use it to remove blood stains– I have a clumsy husband and an adventurous toddler. Enough said.
We even use it when we wash our diapers! A cup or so in the first rinse.
I’ll remember your suggestions to try as well!
Excellent suggestions!! Y’all are awsome.
well well….who knew? thanks, abbie!
I occasionally work at a birth center and we use HP for all sorts of cleaning tasks – but mostly for those lovely blood stains. It takes the spots out of out white towels and sheets. I love it!
Just saw this…I had no idea! Will definitely be using it more…we have quite a few bottles that I got on sale awhile back…
yup we’re users. Have been for quite some time. I’m notorious for forgetting to wear gloves though and that leads to funky white finger tips…
Wow, who knew! I’m a firm white vinegar user, but am always willing to try something new. Thanks for the info.
Great tips!! You can also get food-grade peroxide at natural foods stores (remember to keep it in the fridge). It’s very, very strong stuff and has to be diluted, but it’s what we use for a lot of our cleaning and for ear-aches. Fun stuff!
How do you use it for ear-aches?
Googled HP cuz I’ve been thinking about switching to using it in my house… I use white vinegar and baking soda like a crazy woman now. But, I read a recipe for half HP, half water, and a few drops of essential oils that has me intrigued, because quite frankly I’m getting so high on white vinegar fumes when I clean the bathroom, it’s just not cool. They don’t smell good. I love this post, and I love your site! So full of great information–thank you!
Pour it down the drain (full strength) to eat away at clogs! Let it work for awhile and then follow with hot water.
I do this weekly in the bathroom sink to keep it clear.
You can whiten your teeth using Hydrogen Peroxide, with or without vinegar, but my dentist cautioned me – you should not use it too often (once every week or two is it). She also suggested I water it down a bit. HP can be damaging to the gums if used continuously…oh and don’t swallow! It is strong stuff!
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/products/use-hydrogen-peroxide-on-teeth.htm